Writing a Strong Complaint Letter to Your Landlord

Renting can be a hassle, especially if there are issues with the landlord. There is a term for landlords who don’t keep their properties in good repairs “slum lords”. Thankfully, most landlords will try to make things right by their tenants. Most people feel that they can just withhold their rent and not pay if the landlord doesn’t fix or take care of a situation.

​Actually, the correct course of action is to draft a complaint letter to your landlord and to let them know what the issues are. If you have already notified them verbally, the next course of action is to put it in writing. It is always best to send the letter via certified mail. This not only proves that the landlord was notified, but also that they continued to ignore the situation, if applicable. So how do you draft a letter like this?​

​First, you need to collect all the evidence of the issue. For instance, if it is a bug infestation, take pictures. Show them the state of your home and that no matter what you do; you seem to still have an issue with pests.

Second, make sure you documented any efforts that have been done to attempt tried to resolve the matter. Again, make sure that you identify how many times you had pest control out or any supplies purchased. Once you have gathered all the evidence needed to create the letter, then draft it. The details are important and it is what will make the letter tangible to the court. ​Keeping the Letter Business Professional

The tone is very important to this letter. The thing you don’t want to do is come off cocky. You want to attempt to try to get a resolution out of the landlord. However, you want to also let them know that you intend on taking things to a higher power if need be. Start the first paragraph by stating the facts of the situation.

​For instance, if you have contacted them ten times before, notate that. Don’t just state, give facts. What dates did you contact them and what method. This is all very important in proving why you should be let out of a lease, if necessary.

There are laws that protect the clients and landlords. If a landlord is not following proper rules for keeping a home in a livable condition, then there are courses of action a tenant can take. This letter is just the start.

The old saying, “you get more flies with honey than vinegar” definitely applies here. If you come across as wanting to work with the landlord, you will get further than if you are demanding and nasty. The complaint letter to your landlord, should be a civil way to let them know that you are going to take this case to a higher power and ensure that justice is done. ​​​​Sample 1 - Complaint Letter about Neighbor to LandlordTenant’s NameTenant’s AddressCity, State, Zip Code

DATE

Landlord’s NameLandlord’s AddressCity, State, Zip Code

Dear Name of Landlord:

I have notified you five times about the neighbors living on the adjacent property, which you also own. From the first day we have lived here, they have let their dog run wild. Their dog has torn our flowers, kid’s toys and even has attacked my youngest daughter. I have called the sheriff’s office, the dog pound and used all local resources I can.

The first time I contacted you was on April 25th, 20xx, right after we moved in. You stated you would take care of it. I contacted you again on May 29th, 20xx when my children’s cats were killed by this dog. Then on June 16th, 2016, I told you the dog had torn up all our flowers we just planted and sent you pics of him in action. Also, you were notified that police reports were filed on July 8 and July 29, 20xx.

If we open our side door, the dog runs in our house. The dog warden has come out on many occasions and has even taken him in, fining the other party. The fact is that you are responsible for this neighbor and their dog, as they are your tenant. We are good tenants and pay our rent on time.

​We keep your home in good repair. However, we are not living when we can’t have anything, including toys, outside our home. This large Akita mix is a danger to our family, especially my children.

If this situation is not rectified immediately, we intend to find another place to live. We would like to resolve this matter in a civil method, but we fully intend on taking this to the next level to protect our family. Please contact us at once to discuss a resolution. We can be reached at 614-891-7458.

I live in your property at the above address and have lived here for the past three years. I would like to report that there is a leak under the kitchen sink that has caused dampness there for the past month. I waited to inform you because I was hoping it was an anomaly and would stop. However, it has not gone away, and the area has been damp for some time. My concern is that mold will begin to grow and pollute the indoor air quality.

According to our rental agreement, you are responsible for any plumbing repairs to the house. I have not previously requested any help because there have not been any major issues, but this one could cause health problems for my wife. I would appreciate if it could be repaired within the next week. If my request is ignored, I will be forced to employ a plumber and deduct the cost from my rent.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. You can reach me at Phone Number or Email Address if you have any questions.